Monday, April 29, 2013

If the opening party, "A Salute to Hollywood" at the British Consulate in Hancock Park was launched by a galaxy of British actors and singers then Christopher Guy's party represents what is best in British design, fashion, and style.

His party annually always honor what is best in British fashion and design. Last year, he honored Philip Treacy then a parade of his fascinators march through the party.

Dita offered a presentation of her new dress collection to toast the party.A cavalcade of boudoir couture, ranging from classic Forties Sirens gowns to naughty cocktail dresses draped in sheer overlays of tulle to elegant but provocative transparent trench coat. It was a naughty but never nasty fashion parade that equally matched the sensual yet sophisticated Christopher Guy furniture.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Brits who done good, "showed their love" a.k.a. thank this country back by igniting a series of bashes celebrating their good fortunes in the heart of Hollywood, Hancock Park, at the British Consulatethis recent Tuesday night.

Notable United Kingdom celebrities, the likes ofthe "James Bond Fraternity, " Timothy Dalton (James Bond) and George Lazenby (James Bond; On Her Majesty's Secret Service) and Terri Seymour (TV presenter/actress), Lisa Vanderpump (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), and Lady Victoria Hervey (socialite), "Dancing with the Stars" Bruno Tonioli, "The OC" Mischa Barton with her new boyfriend, Sebastian Knapp, and Sharon Harroun-Pierce (she and her husband, Bob, sit on the Britweek Committee) help cheer on the brightest of British talent flourishing underneath the California Sun...or Moon since this was at night.

This night is when thenew Jaguar F-Type debuted. It will be a series of appearances during Britweek.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

This is the season of coming out, Prom Seasonand the "Summer Social Season,"the approaching Summer Festival/White Parties Season (especially in the Hamptons and the Southeast), and that cross-cultural exchange, Britweek.

With the new dress codes clamping down on "overtly mature" prom dresses, Jonathan is used to dealing and adjusting to various cultural and religious requirements when it comes to formal and eveningwear. With his quick and open mind fitting any occasion to any situation, he still makes sure prom night is still that special night for any young lady.

What MasterCard's Priceless Experiences offers...with Jonathan at Neiman Marcus...is a true hands-on haute couture experience in a modern-day setting. You will also be indulging in delectable drinks and
cupcakes, while perusing his stunning collection. After you’ve taken one
of his beautiful dresses home, you’ll receive two days of virtual
support leading up to your prom. Plus,
you can rest easy with last-minute fashion advice guidance with a
day-of phone call with the designer. This lovely experience can make a girl feel like a lady.

In honorof a country that invented the "coming-out" party (which prom is) and the Social Season, Jonathan has some tips for the modern-day British "It" Girl making her debut during Britweek in Los Angeles, regardless if it's in the hills of Hollywood or on the beaches of Santa Monica."Color," that's his advice for the young Brit starlet making her LA debut. He suggests using color to give her confidence, to set her apart enough to make her memorable. His go-to color is red. Since this is sunny and warm LA, she has the freedom to be sexy within her comfort zone.

Since Britweek is also a cross-cultural exchange celebration, as well as a cross-cultural debut, Jonathan also has tips for the Hollywood ingenue making her first splash in the London scene.

He advises the young lady that she cannot get away with whole lot. Best to use the Royal Family as a guide, especially since some of them might be at certain events.The easiest tip, it all depends on the event. The tailoring may be conservative but you can always depend on color. Jewel tones for Spring. Neon for Summer. Jonathan's hottest shade is burnt red orange or you can do the Duchess of Cambridge color-blocking, pairing Royal Blue with Nude pumps.

Today's true socialite, whether she's an aristocrat-turned-starlet or a well-traveled and well-cultured debutante, Jonathan Bash knows a real lady is a global jet-setter who needs dresses and outfits for all occasions that pop up anywhere in the world.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Tomorrow, the British Consulate wants to say "Thank You" to American hospitality and Californian opportunities by returning the gratitude by launching a two-weeks long celebration of the unique mixture called "BritWeek."

BritWeek is their way of saying, "Thank You," for California's industries and opportunities for giving their talents and culture a chance to flourish beyond their expectations.

The British Consulate, in Los Angeles, is inviting a galaxy of A-List Brits.., ok, film and tv stars...to come celebrate this Tuesday night, launching this cross-cultural confluence.

Wherever there's a large Brit contingency, there's going to be a BritWeek. Orange County is doing their on April 26h, followed by San Fransisco on May 3rd. Believe it or not, Miami is jumping in too.

This scribe is returning the thank you to British hospitality by listing all the happenings in current, modern-day London...the fashionable West London...

Shoot, why not use this piece as your guide to fashion-forward, real London...

Regent
Street, London W1 launches 24/7, a bespoke social media hub accessed
through regentstreetonline.com. The hub creates a virtual window where
everyone can engage in real-time conversations with the Regent Street
shops, restaurants, cafés, bars and hotels. Conversations appear on 24/7
from multiple social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook,
Instagram, Pinterest, SoundCloud and YouTube, all in one online
location.Over 100 Regent Street brands including Liberty London, Whole Foods Market, Coach, Reiss, Hollister, Gilly Hicks, sketch,Kirk Originals, Brasserie Zédel,Superdry, Ted Baker and Anthropologie are
ready to engage with people that ‘sign in’ and integrate their social
media accounts with the hub. The bespoke Regent Street conversations
#RegentStreet, #HeddonStreet, #SwallowStreet and a selection of trending
hashtags, give users the opportunity to engage with the Regent Street
community, 24 hours a day.

David Shaw, Head of Regent Street
Portfolio, The Crown Estate, says: “We are delighted to offer shoppers
and visitors from all over the world a new way of engaging and enjoying
their Regent Street experience”.

The Regent
Street Windows Project unveils the designs for this year’s six unique
installations. The designs include a giant beach wave curling up
through the interior of Esprit, a ‘Magic Garden’ flowing through all
eight windows of the Karen Millen store and a recreation of New York’s
Greene Street in Jack Spade’s London store window.From 15
April to 6 May, Regent Street London W1 will be showcasing a number of
inspiring architectural installations created by cutting edge architects
in partnership with RIBA (Royal
Institute of British Architects). Now in its fourth year, the Regent
Street Windows Project matches a diverse range of RIBA architects with
international fashion brands to create innovative window displays.

Brands participating in the Regent Street Windows Project 2013 include: Topshop working with NEON, Esprit working with naganJohnson architects, Jack Spade working with Carl Turner Architects, Ferrari Store working with Gensler, Karen Millen with Mamou-Mani and Moss Bros with AY Architects.

This
initiative is part of an ongoing series of events and promotional
opportunities which places Regent Street as one of the leading shopping
destinations in the world. As part of this long-term strategy, Regent
Street has recently seen the revival of iconic landmarks in the area
balancing original architecture with contemporary restoration. This
restoration of vast architectural buildings has recently welcomed to the
street the largest Burberry in the world, restaurants Brasserie Zédel and MASH and the re-opening of Café Royal after being restored to its former golden-age glory.

Annie
Walker, Director of the Regent Street Association, said: ‘The RIBA
Regent Street Project, now in its fourth year, is getting more and more
recognition. Each time I look forward to seeing the designs and marvel
at the result of the collaboration between the architects and the
retailers; it definitely adds to the visitor experience.’

St James’s
London is pleased to announce contemporary shoemakers The Left Shoe
Company have chosen to open their first UK store in Princes Arcade. The
Left Shoe Company combines traditional skill with state of the art
technology creating a truly unique shoe buying experience. Neighbours in
Princes Arcade include British men’s heritage label Smart Turnout
London that opened in November, as well as shoemakers such as Loake and
Barker.

Erkan Fere,
CEO of The Left Shoe Company says: “For The Left Shoe Company, it was
important for the first London store to be opened in St James’s,
surrounded by excellent restaurants, hotels and services focusing on the
made to measure and bespoke needs for the modern gentleman. The various
premium lifestyle brands support one another. We at The Left Shoe
Company feel very much home in St James’s.”

The Left
Shoe Company measure customers with state of the art 3D foot scanning
technology. The measuring platform analyses your precise foot size and
this scan is then used to create handcrafted, made to order shoes. When
selecting a style of shoe, there are four collections to choose from,
contemporary, classic, modern classic and casual. From here you can
select each aspect, including style, material and details creating your
own bespoke footwear.

The process
from measuring to walking takes six weeks and in the meantime your
personal foot scan is stored and each detail added to a membership card,
allowing you to then order shoes online to your specification from
anywhere in the world.

British brand
Smart Turnout are launching a ’pop up’ at John Lewis, Oxford Street,
London from Tuesday 16 April – Tuesday 30 April 2013. John Lewis invited
them to take part in their initiative to support UK brands as Smart
Turnout epitomise the hallmarks of British style: tradition, distinction
and craftsmanship. The collection combines the colours of some of
Britain's historical institutions with pieces crafted to the highest
standards from the finest materials.

The Smart Turnout
pop-up takes prime position in the ground floor John Lewis menswear
section and will be supported by dedicated staff with expert knowledge
of the product range and the history behind it.

This collaboration
comes just months after Smart Turnout opened its own dedicated store in
the Princes Arcade, Piccadilly, London, SW1Y 6DS. Both the store and
the John Lewis pop-up feature the refreshingly colourful Smart Turnout
spring/summer 2013 collection. Every piece in the collection has a story
to tell. The colours, numbers and crests are all significant. No colour
combination, stripe thickness or spacing is accidental or meaningless.
This is because Smart Turnout's origins lie in the regimental and
sporting traditions of the British Army.

In British horse
racing each rider wears a unique set of racing colours. These rules were
no different for Scots Guards officer Philip Turner, who when racing at
Sandown had to find a jumper in the colours of his regiment. Seeking
only the finest materials and craftsmen to create his jumper, he made
something that caught the eye of his fellow Guardsmen, who all requested
one of their own. Recognising the high quality of these, their requests
soon turned into further orders, not just for jumpers, but ties,
watches, socks and other regimental items.Fast forward to
the present day and Smart Turnout is a global British fashion brand with
sales of £1 million. It is stocked in premium menswear outlets around
the world, including Bloomingdales & J Press in the USA; Old England
in Italy; Galleries Lafayette in Dubai; Beams, Ships, United Arrows
& Bay Crews in Japan; and Bean Pole & Aland in Korea. UK
stockists include Harrods, Stuarts of London, YMC, Williams &
Griffin (as of July 2013) and Stumper & Fielding.

For the pop up,
Smart Turnout has handpicked pieces they know John Lewis customers will
covet. Key on trend pieces for the SS13 season include the striking
Half & Half ties, contrast-pocket t-shirts and a huge range of
colourful bow ties. See for yourself in John Lewis Oxford Street,
Tuesday 16 April – 30 April 2013.

John Lewis invited them to take part in their initiative to support UK brands as Smart Turnout
epitomise the hallmarks of British style: tradition, distinction and
craftsmanship. The collection combines the colours of some of Britain's
historical institutions with pieces crafted to the highest standards from the
finest materials.
Celebrity followers of Smart Turnout include One Direction front man Harry
Styles who was seen sporting the Boundary Bow Tie at a recent event.

On Sunday 12 May, Regent Street, London W1 will join with countries from across the globe to celebrate ‘InsureandGo The World on Regent Street’.
Regent Street will be traffic-free and transformed to showcase the
best of each country’s culture, music and dance, art, food and fashion
as well as its impressive selection of international brands.

‘InsureandGo The World on Regent Street’
will welcome destinations including: Argentina, Egypt, Great Britain,
Trinidad and Tobago and Turkey with further cultural representation from
Chinatown who will offer fantastic food, drink and activities and
entertainment set against the backdrop of Regent Street’s famed British
architecture. Throughout the month, there will be a schedule of events including in store activities, special menus and competitions.

Free for all
to attend, activities from the participating destinations will include
wine sampling, cooking demonstrations and tango lessons from Argentina; folkloric performances, cuisine, fashion display and professional henna drawings from Egypt; Wallace and Gromit adventures featuring a hot air balloon brought by Great Britain; a professional steel pan band and dancing carnival from Trinidad and Tobago; coffee shop experience and food sampling with a live music band and dance floor from Turkey and Chinese drumming performance with lion dancing and martial arts demonstrations brought by Chinatown.Regent
Street continues to build on its reputation as one of the ultimate
shopping and lifestyle destinations in the world, with many global
fashion brands choosing to call this famous shopping thoroughfare their
home. Recently, Swedish brand ‘& Other Stories’ opened at 256-258
Regent Street , introducing a new range of stylish products to join
other international flagships such as Burberry, Liberty, Apple,
Anthropologie, Hollister, Superdry, Coach, Sebago and Calvin Klein.

This past Saturday, independent vinyl record stores of Berwick Street Soho, London W1, joined forces to celebrate Record Store Day.

If you think shopping, browsing, sipping, drinking, and snacking...alright...let's face it, partying and socializing like a Londoner is the best way to experience being a Londoner then there is no better place than London's SoHo District.Record Store Day
has brought music lovers to Berwick Street for exclusive vinyl and CD
releases and to enjoy live music, bands and DJs performing throughout
the area. Showcasing a range of British music talent from 12pm till
7pm, special performances from a purpose built stage included Wire,
Smoke Fairies, Frank Turner and Matthew E White as well as an eclectic
mix of DJs across all genres from reggae to electronica.

Berwick Street has
been a destination for vinyl record collectors since the 1980s when it
became known as ‘The Golden Mile of Vinyl’. This corner of Soho is
still home to central London’s largest concentration of thriving
independent record shops; Reckless Records, Sister Ray and The Music and Video Exchange as well as Sounds of the Universe around the corner on Broadwick Street, Black Market Soho on D’Arblay Street and Phonica on Poland Street.

The shops, pubs
and restaurants also joined in the celebrations with DJ’s playing in
store, music quizzes and in-store parties. The iconic Berwick Street
market was open as usual with flowers, fruit and vegetable traders as
well as street food including Napoli style pizzas served by the Pizza
Pilgrims from the back of a converted Piaggio van. The market also
featured a music history experience from The Museum of Soho and a vinyl
fair.

The official film
of Record Store Day, ‘Last Shop Standing’, is a documentary which charts
the rise, fall and rebirth of the independent record shop. This was
screened throughout the day in a pop-up cinema space. Graham Jones, the
author of the book that inspired the film made a special guest
appearance with a Q&A session and to sign copies of the book and
DVD.Berwick Street has
a strong music heritage and many associations with the industry. It
was the location for the cover shoot of the 1995 Oasis album ‘(What’s
The Story) Morning Glory’ (as seen in the window of Reckless Records).
Ian Brown cycled backwards down Berwick Street in the music video for
F.E.A.R. and T-Rex front man Marc Bolan worked on his mum’s stall on
Berwick Street market in the 1960s.*

Berwick Street is a
vibrant urban community with a rich heritage in the heart of London’s
Soho. Discover traditional London pubs, bespoke tailoring, textiles,
vintage, food, fashion and of course independent record stores. Berwick
Street is London for Londoners.

If you caught the "London Buzz" from all these BritWeek parties and fairs, or you're an Anglophile, then this is an oopportune time to jump in real, modern-day London.

Friday, April 19, 2013

With Britweek in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, and Miamicoinciding with the actual Earth Day celebrations else where next week, Los Angeles got the jump start on Earth Day celebrations this week.

According to Mr. Salgardo, it makes sense for Kiehl's to participate in Recycle Across America where customers can drop their empty, used-up Kiehl jars and bottles into the company's recycling bin.

Kiehl's upped the ante by fine-tuning it into "Recycle and Be Rewarded," http://www.kiehls.com/Recycle-America/recycle-america,default,pg.html, where you bring in an empty, used-up Kiehl's item, you'll receive a stamp in return for each empty, used-up Kiehl's tube, bottle, and/or jar. 3 stamps rewards you with a free, classic Kiehl's #1 Lip Balm.5 stamps gift you a Travel Collection Product (if you're a jet-setting Kiehl's Lover, joining this program is a easy way to restock your kit). 10 stamps will give you a full-sized product. When you return 10 items, you can get the Lip Balm, a Travel Collection Product, and the Full-Sized Product. Economically nice and "green" for both you and Kiehl's.

Recovering from the previous night's Kiehl's star-studded bash, this scribe found refuge, the next day, at Ron Robinson's calming Earth Day's pampering and primping.

Guests started the afternoon recovery having their face soaked in Osea Skincare's seaweed and algae oil-free, soothing facials...aaahhh...or they played and dabbed in Earth Tu Face's food-grade face and body care, fresh from Northern California.

They finished their organic pampering with the revamped and renewed W3LL People's wholesome cosmetics.

This scribe knows all too well it is a lousy habit to be sleeping in one's makeup because you're too tired to wipe it off and too lazy to replicate that lovely but complicate makeover. What to do? Have your makeover done with W3LL People's non-silicone, Bismuth Oxychloride-free, talc-free, and fragrance-free aloe-based makeup then you can sleep in for one day and one night-only!

Cosmetic Dermatologist, Reneé Snyder, M.D.'s tip (she is one of the W3LL People's trio of her, James Walker, and Shirley Pinkson) gave a bit of trivia for James to share. The reason arrowroot is named "arrowroot" is because when Native Americans are shoot with arrow wounds, they ground up the roots of the arrowroot tuber then mix it with oils or liquids to apply to the arrow wounds as a healing salve, hence the name, "arrow root."

Well, they return arrowroot to its ground-up powder form to mix it up in its powdered primer, Realist Mineral Setting, along side aloe, white tea, and chamomile, it provides healing and calming benefits to stressed, sensitive skin.

Their Altruist colored mineral, foundation powder can be moisten into a regular, full-coverage liquid foundation if you puff it on in a sweaty, hot humid climate or spritz it with a toner or serum. Think of the convenience, you don't have to haul heavy bottles of liquid foundation that will choke your pores. You can put your sweat glands to good use when it moistens the AltruistPowdered Foundation into a breathe able, full-coverage foundation.Practically, two products in one for one price.

James Walker warned that their all-natural colorstick multiples and foundations does harden in cold, dry climate or Winter.To loosen them up, he blends them with Earth Tu Face's aloe-based Skin Stick for a malleable, smoother application.

Earth Tu Face and Arcona are one of the very few skincare lines that can primp your face before you sleep in your W3LL People makeup (remind you, W3LL People is the only makeup safe enough to sleep in). Earth Tu Face is a great line to primp your skin for your aloe-based makeup.

Started by one of the herbalist duo who's deadly allergic to mainstream cosmetics and skincare and aghast at the waste and the landfills, she went out of her way to study botany and herbology to ease and heal her rashes and reactions.

From the eat-able ingredients to the composite packaging, Earth Tu Face is conscientious in every step of its products.

Like anything environmental, they try to keep their items within a reasonable price point and recyclable to save the earth and save the wallet.

All these Earth Day beautiesattempt to soften the blow on the environment, your skin, and your wallet.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Boy...this scribe is bushed! At least, Hollywood was hopping and alive this past weekend.

Young Hollywood felt equally the same, torn between the first weekend half of Coachella and MTV Movie Awards down at Sony Studios in Culver City.

The same smart ones were the durable ones. They hit Coachella's concerts, the parties, and the gifting suites then drove half the next day back to LA to look fresh in their Coachella gear, just in time for Sunday afternoon's MTV Movie Awards. It takes a youngin' to efficiently and effectively split themselves in two to be a true Hollywood social butterfly.

Since the biggest music concert and party was out in the desert at Coachella, this wise and weary scribe wondered why can't MTV do its Movie Awards at the music festival. Oh well, onto what you really want...the MTV Movie Awards Gifting Suite.

GUARDaHEART Foundation, a
non-profit foundation dedicated to raising awareness of heart disease
prevention by spreading the word to guard your heart and save your life,
was on site offering complimentary cardiac risk blood tests and to
promote their savethe1.org campaign. In honor of his father John Ritter,
celebrity guest Jason Ritter made a special appearance
on the 10 year anniversary since his passing due to heart disease to
co-present a check with Aviir for $100,000 to the Foundation.

While raising awareness and funds to their own personal charities, the celebrity guests snacked onKuKuRuZa Gourmet Popcorn's specialty popcorn bar and music from DJ BABYCHINO,
the worlds youngest DJ, flowed throughout the rooms of the lounge
setting the tone for the event. Guests sipped wine from sponsors Viva Diva Wines, one of the fastest growing Moscato brands in the U.S., who was refreshing guests with their Pinot Grigio or flavored Moscato; Skys Gourmet Tacos; Sabra Dipping Company and Cookie Connection kept them fueled.

While the more mature stars were taking it easy on a Sunday afternoon, Hollywood's blazing hot young ones were hitting the Coachella Music Festival and the accompanying pool parties, the Electrical Daisy Carnival and stocking up on festival wear and chill sodas and relaxing cocktails poolside.

With the powerful concert promoter, Golden Voice, doing it's own music festival, it's a small wonder that equally mega-wattaged ingenues (both girls and boys) and equally powerful fashion brands have jumped on the bohemian bandwagon where A-Listers really go "slumming." The smart and lucky ones booked their hotel rooms in nearby Palm Springs early.

Coachella not only marks the start of the Summer Music Festival Season, it also sets the fashion/dress code for most of them...how to look hot and chic while trekking in the mud or dust.Shoedazzle noted tanned leather, comfy and steady wedges and sandals, go from pool to field at any moment at any time.

Believe it or not, this is the second time that this scribe knows of Lacoste Shoes throwing a shoe gifting pool party at Coachella. Modern day prepsters, such as Brad Goreski, Elijah Woods, and Portugal, the Man, really got a kick trying on their Lacoste sneakers, as much as "The Man Repeller," Leandra Medine.

Celebrities set the "anything goes" fashion flow at Coachella. Alexander Wang hang poolside. January Jones was all suited up. Sophia Bush was all prim and proper in an H&M dress. Julianna Hough provided you can go from daytime daisy dukes and a tank to rocking a tee in a black tux-like blazer and trousers for night. Agyness Deyn made her DJ debut here. Katherine McPhee was billowy in a skirt. Vanessa Hudgins was Woodstock-sque in delicate but sexy white camisole and matching shorts, complete with gold wire ring. Riley Kough was dressed in the new festival shoe...the canvas sneaker, not afraid to get dirty and wash later.Boy!This scribe better get ready and prep with Red Bull before chillin' in the desert with Chill Cocktails and getting outfitted at the Forever 21, Swatch, Chilli Beans, and Lacoste suites...and these are before folks hits the Coachella concert itself!This recent week was a social season unto itself!